Hugh Polensky, director

Who are the chaplains?

• men and women of all spiritual traditions, cultural backgrounds and ages
• ordained and lay people of local faith communities
• highly trained individuals. Catholic chaplains have bachelor's degrees, plus 16 hours of post-graduate theology study, while non-Catholic chaplains have master's degrees in divinity plus one year of clinical pastoral education. Several Sacred Heart chaplains (Catholic and non-Catholic) have master's degrees in divinity or pastoral ministry.

What do they do

. . . for the Medical Center?

• provide support in private settings for stress/burn-out, domestic violence
• provide support in group settings for dealing with trauma or tragedy, loss of co-worker or patients
• train chaplain interns
• lead cultural diversity awareness efforts throughout the Medical Center
• educate new staff members in orientation
• participate in community outreach programs
• add spiritual insights to various committees and services
• teach Bible studies and other group study series through the Providence Center for Faith and Healing (open to the public)
• help people experience Sacred Heart's mission and values
  

. . . for patients and families?

• offer pastoral counseling for grief, new diagnosis of illness, emotional issues and others
• advocate organ donation
• assist family members regarding ethical decisions surrounding emergencies or potential death
• assist patients in filling out Advance Directives for their healthcare preferences
• serve as spiritual resources by providing prayer and administration of certain sacraments, contacting faith communities leaders, answering questions related to end of life and the ultimate meaning of life
• provide a support system

How can they be reached?

Call 509/474-4716 Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. or within Sacred Heart, call extension 4716 or simply dial 0 anytime, any day.